Chapter 1361

<Episode 1361> 1361. Spirit’s Atlantis

A call came in on Lilith’s smartphone. After checking the number, she immediately picked it up.

“It’s been a while, Director Brick. What brings you calling?

“Lilith-sama. Have you been at peace during this time?”

“Peace? Who even uses that word anymore? I’m doing fine. So, Director Brick, can you just get to the point? My phone keeps ringing nonstop… I’m super busy right now.”

“Ah, yes, Lilith-sama… There’s this new girl group debuting soon, isn’t there?”

“Foebits?”

“Yes, Foebits. Could you arrange for me to meet them? Not personally, of course—it’s Aleed Corporation’s CEO who wishes to meet.”

Aleed Corporation.

A famous luxury clothing company from Zone 6,700, and also one of the sponsors of Brick’s KRC Broadcasting Station.

Lilith’s voice darkened.

“Director Brick… is this about sponsorship?”

“Just this once. If you’d kindly entertain this request, we’ll give Foebits all the support they need—full advertising from Aleed, prime-time programming slots for Foebits, and I’ll guarantee their #1 spot on the music charts.”

“Director Brick… I didn’t think you’d stoop so low. Very disappointing.”

“…Lilith-sama, these kinds of favors aren’t exactly new to us, are they? Just this once—it could yield great rewards. You wouldn’t believe how much pressure the CEO has been putting on me… almost like blackmail. Please, help me out here.”

“I know I’m lenient with sexual favors, but that doesn’t mean I jump every time someone asks. Entertainers aren’t prostitutes.”

“Why are you being difficult? We’ve handled things like this smoothly before, haven’t we?”

“I don’t force my artists into sexual bribes. I merely suggest it. Up until now, those who chose to engage in such activities did so willingly, seeking success. Director Brick, what do you really think of Foebits? Do you think they need outside help?”

“…I admit they’re impressive. They’ve already set the entertainment world ablaze with just their visuals alone. But visuals have limits. You know how dirty Aleed’s CEO can be. He’ll undoubtedly ruin Foebits’ future.”

“Do you think we’d fear that? Director Brick, do you even know who I am?”

“…Sigh… How could I not know, President Lilith? Please don’t take offense to this proposal. Consider it positively.”

“I’m already offended. The answer is obviously no. Tell Aleed’s CEO yourself.”

Click.

Lilith ended the call. She grabbed a pen and wrote down “Aleed Corporation” on a piece of paper, as per Sung Yoojin’s request to document any companies or people who demanded sexual favors ahead of time.

“How will Producer Sung handle this? She seems unusually close to the members… Is this some kind of blacklist? Or… does she plan to storm in physically?”


It didn’t matter which way. Lilith merely anticipated new excitement; even if the entertainment industry collapsed as a result, she wouldn’t care. Lilith had already enjoyed everything to her heart’s content. Slowly but surely, this side of work was starting to get boring.

Another call came in. An unknown number. Lilith answered with a cheerful smile.

“Yes? This is Lilith speaking! How do you know my number and why are you calling?”

“It’s Valentin, the CEO of Les Sances. I sincerely apologize for calling so late. In desperation, I’m contacting you directly, Ms. Lilith. Our company, Les Sances…”

It was an advertisement offer.

After that, Lilith’s smartphone kept blowing up nonstop. That day, Lilith finally left work at 2 AM.

Countdown to Povitz’s debut: D-6

There were women trembling with anticipation over Povitz’s debut announcement.

They were trainees under Lilith Entertainment. Some had been training for just a few months, while others had spent over three years focusing solely on their debut. But now, they felt like abandoned duck eggs in the Nakdong River thanks to Povitz’s sudden appearance.

The anger rising deep within them was unbearable. Normally, when an idol group debuted from one entertainment company, it took about 3 to 5 years before the next group would debut. In other words, their own debut had just been pushed back another 3 to 5 years.

It would probably be better to transfer to another agency. However, leaving a major agency like Lilith Entertainment wasn’t easy. Why were they called “major” for nothing? They possessed capabilities far beyond those of smaller agencies.

Thus, what the trainees chose to do was file complaints upwards. Directly confronting the CEO was too difficult, so they went to the A&R team leader to argue their case.

“Haa… I only found out about Povitz’s debut through an online article yesterday. The CEO hasn’t given us any notice yet. I asked Manager Collin… apparently, Povitz consists of kids handpicked by the CEO herself outside the company. She’s formed a separate team to manage them. Isn’t it unfair that the A&R Team Leader doesn’t even give us a word?”

“Team Leader, what about our debut?”

“You guys? You’re still scheduled to debut around next year.”

Their debut schedule hadn’t been canceled, so the trainees could breathe a sigh of relief. Still, their anger didn’t dissipate.

“What exactly are they? Appearing out of nowhere to debut… Are they some kind of geniuses?”

“I don’t know. But yeah, they’re good. You’ve seen their pictures, right? Just their visuals alone make me shiver. Anyway, just keep doing what you’ve been doing.”

The trainees trudged toward the practice room. Although they felt slightly better than before, their anger and frustration remained. Then, they noticed Povitz using the practice room. All four members were stunningly beautiful, practicing an intense dance routine.

When the trainees heard the song and saw the choreography, their faces twisted simultaneously.

‘This is one of the songs we were told might be used for our debut!’

It was one of the songs they’d been practicing with the possibility of using it for their debut.

‘How dare they steal our song?’

Enraged to the point of explosion, the trainees couldn’t maintain rational thoughts. They stormed into the practice room being used by Povitz.

“Who are you guys?!”

“……”

Povitz stopped practicing and looked at the suddenly invading trainees. A total of 11 trainees stood arms crossed, glaring fiercely at Povitz.

Miling stepped forward with a bright smile.

“Hello! You must be the Lilith Entertainment trainees. It seems you haven’t heard yet… Starting today, this practice room is assigned to us, Povitz. Please use another room.”

“This room is ours! You go find another one. And who do you think you are, staring at your seniors like that? Show some respect!”


The trainee screamed in a sharp voice. Her venomous eyes and twisted lips were more than enough to threaten her opponent. However, none of the Porbits members were afraid of her.

Miling giggled, her smile growing increasingly chilling.

“Senpai? Pfft. No way. We’re debuting next week… and you guys aren’t supposed to debut until next year, right? In the entertainment industry, your career starts from debut day, so we’re the seniors here.”

The trainee clenched her lips at Miling’s mocking tone.

“How do you think you’ll debut safely acting like this?”

“Trying to interfere with our debut? You’re just trainees after all. Even if you whine to the A&R team, they won’t listen.”

“Hmph, I’ll expose your bad attitudes to the public. What will the fans think of you then? You won’t even be able to debut.”

“Is that the best threat you’ve got? Pathetic. Should I tell Director Lilith about how some talentless trainees are bullying us? You’d be kicked out instantly. Hmm, pity for you? Nah, it might actually help her get rid of idols who lack both looks and personality—better off without you lot.”

“Are you done talking?!”

“Am I done?”

SMACK.

The trainee slapped Miling across the face, causing her head to snap to the side. Miling slowly turned back, wiping the smirk off her face as she touched her now-red cheek. It burned fiercely.

SMACK!

Miling’s palm struck the trainee’s cheek with such force that she fell onto her butt. Blood trickled from the corner of the trainee’s mouth when she lifted her head.

“Ah… didn’t plan on going this far, but I can’t let things slide when someone hits me. Are you okay?”

“You think you’ll get away with this?! Kids!”

The other trainees stepped forward, but Miling stood her ground, rolling up her sleeves in preparation for battle.

That’s when Yuria stepped in.

“Enough. If this escalates further, it won’t just hurt us—it could get you expelled too. While we’re safe since our debut is confirmed, you really might end up getting kicked out. Though my junior shouldn’t have retaliated either… let’s call it even here.”

The trainees flinched under Yuria’s commanding presence. The one who had been slapped by Miling jumped up and shouted.

“Snap out of it! We’re the victims here! They stole *our* song! If it weren’t for them, we might’ve debuted already! Are we just gonna keep letting them take everything from us?!”

As the other trainees began agreeing and preparing to lash out, there was a sudden snap of fingers.

CLACK.

All movement froze. The trainees’ eyes lost focus, darting around aimlessly. Yuria glanced back at Elina.

“You cast an illusion.”

“If I hadn’t, Seohyun would’ve intervened, making things messier.”

Seohyun, who had been readying her fists for a fight, quietly unclenched them as everyone looked her way.

“It’s better to tamper with their memories and send them off before things escalate further.”

“Why bother? These girls are already brimming with jealousy and resentment toward us. Even if we erase their memories, they’ll come back looking for trouble again. In situations like this, it’s better to hold their leash tightly.”

With awkward movements, Elina pulled out her smartphone and fiddled with it, activating the camera function before snapping her fingers.

The trainees suddenly started stripping and dancing in sync, despite there being no music playing.

“Not bad—they’re good dancers for trainees.”

Elina grinned smugly as she captured the incriminating video, knowing it would be game over once it went viral.